It was a home team triumph at the annual Alexandra Seven-A- Side Soccer Tournament at the weekend.

The win by the Alexandra Masters Men’s team was the icing on the cake on what was a successful weekend for local football enthusiasts.

More than 500 players and fans from across the southern district enjoyed a festival atmosphere at Molyneux Park as Saturday’s temperature climbed to 19degC. 

Gazebos were up, barbecues cranking, music playing as skills and sportsmanship was displayed by participants.

The Alexandra Masters Men’s team won their grade for the first time in several years, beating Wānaka in the final 2-0.

Alexandra masters’ Alan Bain competes for the ball against Cromwell in the knockout stage on Sunday. PHOTO: Adam Vincent 

Team spokesman Antony Worch said the win was unexpected but great.

“It’s been a while since we’ve made a final and we [were] expecting Wānaka to be tough.”  

The Alexandra Masters men's soccer team won their grade in the seven-a-side tournament on home turf at Molyneux Park. Back row (from left) Lory Thompson, Elton Steyn, Antony Worch, Gary Elliott, Richard Mcdonald, Charly Morris and front row Michel Kaltack, Francis Parker, Hayden Conder and Alan Bain.

PHOTO: Antony Worch 

Central Otago was well represented with Cromwell, Alexandra and Matakanui fielding teams, with players ranging in age from year nine to veteran.

In the women’s competition 11 teams played a round robin on Saturday and then a knockout format on Sunday. 

A selection of women’s players from Central Lakes teams. PHOTO: Adam Vincent

Cromwell’s Junction Jennies sported new uniforms at the tournament. Back row (from left) Deanna Speight, Becky Clements, Claire Graham, Charlotte Radley, Jess Harvey and Hannah Pedder and front row Emma Fairweather, Emma O’Reilly, Francesca Dustin, Therese Woessner and Heidi Bochel-Hunter. PHOTO: Supplied 

The Alexandra women were unbeaten after their first five games, but lost the semi final against Dunedin’s Queens Park, 2-0. 

Last year's winner, and tournament favourites, Wānaka women were knocked out in a penalty shoot out against Golden Shots on Sunday morning.

The Alexandra women’s team was bolstered by a few Wānaka and Queenstown players due to last minute injuries. Back row (from left) Tania Catrasca, Shirley Hobson, Alyssa Serignese, Jillian Dl, Natalia Panferova, Shannen Finnigan. Front row from left Anna Robb, Eleanor Mairi Smith, Deborah Benck, Shannon Clark and Danielle Anderson. Absent Steffi Moss. PHOTO: Adam Vincent

Queens Park went on to take home the women’s trophy, by two goals to one over Dunedin’s Finest. 

The future looks bright for women’s soccer in the region as Dunstan High School had several players taking part in the Queenstown-based Whitmarsh Academy women’s team, as well as in the Alexandra team. 

The men’s open category was won by Wānaka, beating the Otago University team (The Outlets) by 3-0. 

The popularity of the annual events sees a waiting list of teams wanting to enter.

The tournament - which has been running for more than 30 years - had an international flavour, with Alexandra-based recognised seasonal employees (RSE) from Vanuatu and Fiji taking part, as well as players from South America, Great Britain and Europe in several other teams.